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My thoughts on SBS 2008 November 4, 2008

Posted by svenm in Notes/Domino.
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Not so long ago I went to a presentation about Windows Small Business Server 2008.  We’re on the verge of launching a Lotus Foundations campaing in Belgium so it is always good ‘to know your enemy’.

As in every presentation our speaker was extremely enthusiastic about his new product. Everything was  much better, faster, slicker that the previous version. Whatever problem you used to have with SBS2003, this was all fixed in 2008. I really felt like an imposter and couldn’t help myself questioning everything he said. Would I be this critical if it was a Foundations presentation? I wonder…

What is SBS 2008? What does it contain? There are actually 2 different versions: Standard and Premium Edition.

1. Standard Edition

  • Windows Server 2008 technologies
  • Windows SharePoint Services v3
  • Exchange 2007
  • 1 year trial of Forefront Security for Exchange
  • 1 year trial of OneCare for Server

2. Premium Edition
Standard server plus a second server with

  • Windows Server 2008 technologies
  • SQL Server 2008 Standard
  • Terminal Services in applications mode supported

As far as I understand it, you only need the Premium Edition if you make use of the SQL 2008 Server.

There’s 1 thing however that is missing here: a firewall. That’s right: you MUST buy a separate firewall. That’s right: not included in the package.

What do we need to install all of this?

  • The Standard Edition is 64 bit technology only. No upgrade of your existing SBS 2003. You need to migrate the system! The Second server for the Premium Edition can be both 32 or 64 bit.
  • The official release claims that you need 2 GHz, 64-bit (4 physical sockets supported, no limit on cores); 4 GB RAM; 60 GB OS Drive Partition; 1 x 100 Mb Ethernet adapter and an internet connection.
    Even though this is not in the spec sheet the speaker told us that if you want your server to run smooth you will need at least 16 GB RAM and a Core2 Quad Processor. If your server has less that 4 GB it will not install!
  • Exchange 2007 SP1

I found that this SBS 2008 server has some pros and cons. Let’s start with the pros…

Pro

  • I like the interface of the install and admin console. It just feels right. See below for print screen
  • The precense of SharePoint gives SBS a slight edge.
    -> Our Foundations Server should have Quickr available. This way people can use places, create blogs and use the SNAPPS templates to get maximum flexibility.
  • Sceduled reporting on server and client health : the server sends a monthly mail. If all goes well it will tell you that everything is ok. Sometimes it is nice to hear that things are going great…
  • Windows PowerShell : a new optional command-line shell and scripting language which enables admins to automate routine system administration tasks across multiple servers
  • The option to purchase a single CAL (in addition to 5/10/20 CAL Packs). I think it’s hard to sell to a customer in the SMB market that they need 20 licences if there are only 15 users…

Con

  • You need a lot of hardware to install this; at least if you take a look at Lotus Foundations.
  • A separate firewall is required as part of SBS 2008 setup (HW or ISA)
  • No child domains or cross-forest trusts available. If you need this, you’ll have to upgrade.
  • Backup only via USB disk.
    -> I know Foundations is working on a backup solution over the internet so you can store the files on a remote location.
  • SBS is designed for 50 users or less. If you have more you need to switch to Essential Business Server 2008. This one is designed for 250 users (or less).
  • Integration with MS Office Live Small Business will not be available in Belgium (or Europe) until 2010.
  • By default all applications are installed on the C:\ drive on SBS. There is no option to select different drives during the installation in order to keep the deplayment as simple as possible.
SBS Console

SBS Console

Comments»

1. Cris Hanna, SBS-MVP - November 4, 2008

Obviously you have a prejudice towards Lotus, but at least you admit it and were willing to look at a Small Business Server.

A couple of corrections/clarifications if you will.
- “You need a lot of hardware to install this; at least if you take a look at Lotus Foundations.” Don’t know who your speaker was for this, but I think he/she over exaggerated. 8-12 GB of RAM and a Dual Core processor on the SBS server should be plenty for a 5-10 user office. You may need more depending on what the users are doing. The good thing is that because it’s 64bit, you can scale up, if needed.

- “A separate firewall is required as part of SBS 2008 setup (HW or ISA)” There have been concerns for several years about having the firewall on the domain controller. Microsoft had to take special steps to have ISA on the SBS server for SBS 2003. This change falls into line with standard practices. Additionally ISA is not supported on Windows Server 2008.”

- “No child domains or cross-forest trusts available” This has been the case since the product was released in the late 1990’s. That’s why its important for Consultants to do their homework before recommending solutions to customers.

- “SBS is designed for 50 users or less.” Actually SBS can be support up to 75 users or devices. And the limit for EBS is 300, not 250.

Regarding backup. This is not an SBS issue, it’s a Windows Server 2008 design. If company’s want to use 3rd party software to back up to tape, or whatever, they still have that option. Or they may use any of the remote backup solutions available.

Default installation puts everything on C. That’s correct. However once the install is complete, wizards are available to move all data to other partitions/volumes as you choose.

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2. Roland Reddekop - November 4, 2008
3. Another view on Foundations vs SBS 2008 | Web 2.0, SMB and Lotus Foundations - November 5, 2008

[...] Sven Meirte blogged about his experience with Small Business Server 2008 and the event he attended.  Check out the blog, it provides a complete understanding for consultants to be able provide viable solutions to their small business customers. [...]

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4. Laurie Desautels - November 6, 2008

Another thing to think about for the SMB market is their web presence. Can they quickly spin up a web site AND easily maintain it, and possibly do some integration with the “back office” components on the “all-in-one” server? Both Foundations and from what I see with SBS, this type of capability isn’t there.

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5. Cris Hanna, SBS-MVP - November 6, 2008

actually there is some great ability with SBS 2008 and integration with MS Office Live Small Business. While I understand the OP’s concern that this is not currently available in all countries/languages, it is coming.

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6. svenm - November 6, 2008

@Laurie Desautels – I think that’s where the business partner kicks in. Selling a Foundations Server will not make you rich. Both the licences and installation cost have been reduced to a minimum.
It’s only by adding additional services like building a framework for a website, offering a CRM solution tailored to the SMB market, …. that these potential customers can be of any interest. It’s these things that will allow us to make some money.
Because let’s face it: the only reason that both IBM and Microsoft have created a product for the SMB market is to make some more money.

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7. Steve - June 14, 2009

Great article thanks. SBS 2008 is very popular in New Zealand where the vast majority of businesses are well under the 75 user limit.

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